rmation as he needed,
and the first item was the name and address of the medium who was
responsible for the _seances_ detailed in Benjamin Crane's famous book.

And then to the house of Madame Parlato, Louis Bartram went, having made
an appointment through the useful Douglas.

The madame's quick glance of inquiry was satisfied and her ever-ready
suspicions lulled by her first glance into Peter's eyes. It was
impossible to distrust that frank gaze, and though Peter was an
unbeliever in her and all her works, yet his cause was honest and
sincere and he met her on her own ground.

"You want a _seance_?" the occult lady inquired.

"No, Madame Parlato," Peter returned, quietly, "I want to bribe you to
undertake a commission for me."

"Wh--what!" she cried, turning white and quite losing her poise at his
astonishing remark.

"Now, let's cut out all that," Peter went on, practically, "let's assume
that we've thrashed it all out, and agreed that you're one of the
cleverest of your sort and can fool the gullible ones very neatly. But,
let's also assume that when one who knows comes along that you will
meet him halfway, and at least, listen to his proposition."

"But, this,--this is outrageous----"

"Not at all. You see, I know of the faking you have done,--and are
doing,--in the Crane matter."

"Oh,--ah----" Madame cautiously awaited further speech from her
attractive but unusual caller.

"Yes,--and," here Peter made a bold stroke, "I know who is giving you
things to 'materialize,' and why, and I want to know how much you are
being paid, in order that I may offer you more to follow my directions."

"I do not acknowledge that you are right----" she began, but Peter
interrupted:

"You needn't; your expression, your countenance tells me all I want of
acknowledgment. Now, listen to reason. I only want one _seance_,
conducted according to my orders, and I'll pay you what you demand. Your
other patron needn't know anything about my hand in the matter."

"I refuse your requests, sir. I resent your accusations, and unless you
leave here at once, I shall call----"

"Oh, no, you won't call the police, or any one else. You would greatly
object to an investigation of your place here, and you and I know why.
You'll do much better, madame, to listen to my proposition, and accept
it. You see,-- I _know_!"

The mysterious tone Peter used seemed to carry conviction, and with a
little shudder, Madame Parlato gave in.

"What d